MESA VERDE COUNTRY®: Mancos Valley-Mesa Verde Country® Balloon Festival

MANCOS VALLEY-MESA VERDE COUNTRY®
BALLOON FESTIVAL
2008 SCHEDULE:

Thursday, Sep. 25
Friday, Sep. 26
Saturday, Sep. 27
Sunday, Sep. 28

Photo Credit: Patricia Burk

Photo Credit: Christy Pauli

Mesa Verde Country® takes flight this summer with the fourth annual Mancos Valley-Mesa Verde Country® Balloon Festival.

food, arts, crafts, music, children's activities

Mesa Verde Country® takes flight this summer with balloons ascending and floating over the beautiful Mancos Valley during the fourth annual Mancos Valley-Mesa Verde Country® Balloon Festival. This exciting event is sure to make spirits soar with two special mass ascensions and two spectacular balloon glows. The party begins when the pilots arrive for a welcome dinner and doesn't end until after the last balloon has landed and been packed away.

See spectacular colors, volunteer as a crew/chase member and experience the thrill of assisting the pilots, or simply view as a spectator. Balloon rides are available on Saturday and Sunday mornings, with tethered rides available after the mass ascensions (weather permitting.) On Friday and Sunday evenings "must see" balloon glows take place in Boyle Park. The glows include larger special shapes and many other colorful balloons.

Other events during the Balloon Festival include: food, arts and crafts, music, a chili cook-off, cake walk, antique car and truck show, children's activities, stagecoach rides, and the ever popular "Dog Days of Mancos." On Saturday evening a dinner, dancing, and silent auction will take place in the historic Mancos Opera House.

The Balloon Festival in operated as part of Mesa Verde Country® Festivals, a 501 (c) (3) organization. The festival is dedicated to producing a family-oriented, high-quality event that provides opportunities for local non-profits and sponsors to assist in the operation of the festival. Their objective is to increase awareness of participating non profits, assist in their ability to raise funds, and enhance the quality of life for all of us.

Thursday, September 25

Loading passengers with special needs at the Balloon Festival in Boyle Park, Mancos, CO
Photo Credit: Christy Pauli

Sunrise: 7:07 am

(Since Menafee Peak is east of the launch sites, sunrise will be about 7:30 and the mountain "wash" will diminish by about 7:45)

3:00 pm

Pilot check-in and briefing - Bauer House

5:00 pm

Depart for reception - Cliff Rose High Desert Gardens

6:30 pm

BBQ Dinner - Cliff Rose High Desert Gardens

Friday, September 26

Rick Neubauger Piloting 'Sunrise Community' Balloon, Boyle Park, Mancos, CO
Photo Credit: Patricia Burk

7:15 am

Pilot Briefing (coffee, juice, pastries) - Boyle Park

7:45 am

1st Flight - Planned sponsorship rides
Tether rides available - weather permitting

9:30 - 11:30 am

Refueling - east of P&D Grocery on US 160

6:40 pm

Pilot briefing for balloon glow - Boyle Park

7:15 - 7:45 pm

Glow

8:15 - 9:00 pm

Refueling

Saturday, September 27

inflating a balloon at the balloon festival

Inflating balloon with volunteer help in Boyle Park, Mancos, CO
Photo Credit: Christy Pauli

7:15 am

Pilot Briefing (coffee, juice, pastries) - Boyle Park

7:45 am

2nd Flight
Tether rides available - weather permitting

9:30 - 11:30 am

Refueling - east of P&D Grocery on US 160

6:00 pm

Dinner, Entertainment & Silent Auction - Historic Mancos Opera House

Sunday, September 28

a balloon rises in the clear Colorado sky

Autumn in Boyle Park, Mancos, CO
Photo Credit: Patricia Burk

7:15 am

Pilot Briefing (coffee, juice, pastries) - Boyle Park

7:45 am

3rd Flight
Tether rides available - weather permitting

9:30 - 11:30 am

Refueling - east of P&D Grocery on US 160

6:40 pm

Pilot briefing for balloon glow - Boyle Park

7:15 - 7:45 pm

Glow

8:15 - 9:00 pm

Refueling